Systems and Methods for Planning High Altitude Platform-Based Communication Networks

1. A method for determining mobile network expansion using a high altitude platform-based communication system, the method comprising: identifying, by one or more processors, an uncovered population density in one or more geographic regions; evaluating, by the one or more processors, one or more atmospheric models for operation of a set of high altitude platforms in the stratosphere; determining, by the one or more processors based on the identified uncovered population density in the one or more geographic regions and the evaluated one or more atmospheric models for the set of high altitude platforms, mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions; generating, by the one or more processors for implementation of a mobile network expansion, information representing the determined mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions; and outputting the generated information representing the determined mobile network expansion potential scores for presentation to one or more users.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions includes calculating a cost of service for subregions in the one or more geographic regions.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein calculating the cost of service for each subregion includes analyzing a total number of high altitude platforms required to serve potential customers of the uncovered population density over a selected period of time.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions includes comparing a cost of providing the set of high altitude platforms against an expansion of a terrestrial radio access network.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions includes evaluating whether the set of high altitude platforms will be able to provide continuous service in the one or more geographic regions.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein evaluating whether the set of high altitude platforms will be able to provide continuous service includes determining an overprovisioning strategy for the set of high altitude platforms.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions includes evaluating a staging criteria associated with the set of high altitude platforms.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions includes estimating navigation efficiency for each platform of the set of high altitude platforms.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the uncovered population density includes one or both of underserved and unserved populations within the one or more geographic locations.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein evaluating the one or more atmospheric models for operation of the set of high altitude platforms in the stratosphere includes evaluating atmospheric wind data for the stratosphere.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions further includes evaluating access network information.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the access network information is associated with a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of high altitude platforms includes one or more balloons configured to operate in the stratosphere.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the generated information representing the determined mobile network expansion potential scores includes presenting the generated information on a display device.

15. A system for determining mobile network expansion using a high altitude platform-based communication system, the system comprising: memory storing one or more atmospheric models for operation of a set high altitude platforms in the stratosphere; and a computing system having one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory, the one or more processors being configured to: identify an uncovered population density in one or more geographic regions; evaluate the one or more atmospheric models for operation of the set of high altitude platforms; determine, based on the identified uncovered population density in the one or more geographic regions and the evaluation of the one or more atmospheric models for the set of high altitude platforms, mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions; generate, for implementation of a mobile network expansion, information representing the determined mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions; and output the generated information representing the determined mobile network expansion potential scores for presentation to one or more users.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein a determination of the mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions includes one or more of: calculation of a cost of service for subregions in the one or more geographic regions; comparison of a cost of providing the set of high altitude platforms against an expansion of a terrestrial radio access network; evaluation of whether the set of high altitude platforms will be able to provide continuous service in the one or more geographic regions; evaluation of a staging criteria associated with the set of high altitude platforms; or estimation of a navigation efficiency for each platform of the set of high altitude platforms.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein calculation of the cost of service for each subregion includes performing an analysis of a total number of high altitude platforms required to serve potential customers of the uncovered population density over a selected period of time.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein evaluation of whether the set of high altitude platforms will be able to provide continuous service includes determining an overprovisioning strategy for the set of high altitude platforms.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein determination of the mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions further includes evaluating access network information.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instruction, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement a method for determining mobile network expansion using a high altitude platform-based communication system, the method comprising: identifying an uncovered population density in one or more geographic regions; evaluating one or more atmospheric models for operation of a set of high altitude platforms in the stratosphere; determining, based on the identified uncovered population density in the one or more geographic regions and the evaluated one or more atmospheric models for the set of high altitude platforms, mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions; generating, for implementation of a mobile network expansion, information representing the determined mobile network expansion potential scores for each of the one or more geographic regions; and outputting the generated information representing the determined mobile network expansion potential scores for presentation to one or more users.